Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-02-25
DEMANDED THE CHAIR.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE IN
DIANA LEGISLATIVE ROW.
Almost q Riot in the Senate Chamber on
the Occasion Of Robertson's Demand for
the Chnir-One Senator Struck Between
the Eyes-An Excited Populace-The
House Declares Non-IDtercourse.

the Eyes-An Excited Populace-The
House Declares Nom Intercourse.
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. @5.-There were
scenes of riot and confusion at the capitol
building Thursday morning, and the passions
and prejudices of the actors were excited to
the highest pitch of intensity. Though the
session has been marked by many exciting
scenes, nothing like that of Thursday had
ever transpired in the legislature, and it is
well for the fair name of the state that muir
der cid not grow out of it. At an early hour
crowds Of people entered the capitol, expect
ing that Robertson would demand his seat
as lieutenant governor, but the doors of the
senate were securely locked and guarded by
an extra force of doorkeepers and police.
men. Col. Robertson was early upon the
scene, but he was refused admission, though
he continued to stand near the door and soon
forced his way into the chamber. In the
meantime the crowd in the corridors had
increased to several hundred, and several
desperate efforts were made to force the
doors and gain admission. A struggle en-
sued with the doorksepsrs aud police, and
several persons were struck but not seriously
hurt. One man had his coat torn into shreds
and policeman was roughly handled by
the crowd, being taken away from the door
and violently thrown to the hard floor sew
eral times
While this was going on the in corridors a
fight took place in the chamber. Senator
johnson entered, and turning around saw
the doorkeeper refuse admission to Senator
Denote. Johns on began to abuse the door.
keeper, calm & him a Democratic slugger
and scoundrel, and Senator Mcdonald left
his seat AMI passed over to the door HI
then took hold of Johnson's arm AMI the lat.
ter turned Suddenly upon him and planted q
blow with his fist squarely between Melon
AIDS eyes with the remark: ON you,
have been wanting to get a lick at you.
Mcdonald did not return the blow, but tolt
johnson be had better go to his seat and
learn to control his temper Senator Coz
and johnson then INDUCED in a war o.
words, and johnson placed his hand on hi!
hip pocket and swore that somebody woult
get hurt II he was pressed any further
As soon as order was restored; Col Rob
| ertson arose and advanced toward the presi
dents desk, with the evident intention o
presiding over the senate. As his foot restet
| on the lower step he WAS seizel by an assist
ant doorkeeier and pushed back He mad
a second attempt to ascend to tina stand, bu
the doukeeper again interfered, AMI h
turned and began to address the senate H
was called to order several times, but re
| fused to cease speaking, a-G Senator Fowle
moved that Robertson be put out OF tn
chamber. This motion was put and carried
and the doorkeepsr was ordered to remoy
him. Robertson offered but little resistance
and was soon pushed out Of the door Ser
ator Denote denounced the ect as an out
rage, and Senator Howard approached hin
and said: 'lf you don't stop that Ill smas
your mouth; you are the cause of thi
| trouble"
Denote could not be sileucel in that wa
and the doorkeeper was called to seat him
| This was accomplished after struggle, i
which the senator was thrown TO the foo,
As soon as Robertson was put out of the sen
etc crowd gathered arouni him and offere
| TO break open the door and return with hir
| tc the chamber, but be refused TO lead sucu
| venture, and prevented two or three zealou
individuals from breaking the transom owe
the door. He made an address to the crow
counsellng moderation, and the excitemer
rapidly abated
The senate attempted TO proceed with bus
ness but the Republicans refused to respon
to their names and quorum was thu
broken, and the senate soon after adjourne
till Friday. In the house it was determine
not to recognize the senate until Robertso
is seated as its presiding officer. 1t Will /
observed that the relations between the tu
bodies are considerably strained
A petition for rehearing in the case ,
the lieutenant governorship will be filed
the supreme court by Judge Turpie an
Jason Brown, representing the appelle,
Alonzo g. Smith, presiding officer of Il
| senate